Division News...

Division of Culture and History announces new deputy commissioner

December 2, 2010

Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History announced that he has named Caryn Schafer Gresham deputy commissioner and communications manager of the agency, effective immediately. She replaces Jacqueline A. Proctor who resigned in November to become director of communications for Governor Earl Ray Tomblin.

“Caryn Gresham’s background and communications expertise will serve the division well as she moves into her new role. I’m very pleased to have someone with her confidence, focus and experience,” said Reid-Smith. “Her talents are a most welcome addition to the division and the state.”

Gresham of Charleston previously served as public relations director for the West Virginia Division of Tourism and as spokesperson for the West Virginia Office of Miners Health, Safety and Training. She also held communications and public relations positions with Union Carbide Corp., and Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. Most recently, she has provided communication services to tourism, arts and education organizations through her company, Caryn Gresham Communications LLC.

Gresham has a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from the Marshall University W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The Division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the Division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.